Simplified slide-action buckle mechanism



A ril 28, 1964 A. G. CARTER 3,130,466

SIMPLIFIED SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE MECHANISM Filed Feb. 6, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 28, 1964 A. G. CARTER 3,130,466

SIMPLIFIED SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE MECHANISM Filed Feb. 6, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hg; .1 c:

INVENTOR:

ANDREW G. CARTER .QM g A M April 28, 1954 A. G. CARTER 3,130,466

SIMPLIFIED SLIDE-ACTION BUCKLE MECHANISM Filed Feb. 6, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR: ANDREW e. CARTER United States Patent 3,130,466 SIMPLHED SLIDE-ACTIGN BUCKLE MECM Andrew G. Carter, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to Andrew G. Carter and Harriett T. Carter, doing business as Carter Engineering Company, Grand Rapids,

Mich, a partnership Filed Feb. 6, I961, Ser. No. 87,298 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-230) This invention relates to the mechanism of buckles for safety belts, and particularly to the type having a direction of release movement tending to free the belt from the wearer. Most of these buckles are of the slide-action type, with the slide arranged to be manually pulled away from the junction of the buclde sections. The force applied to disengage the buckle therefore tends to throw it free of the wearer, rather than hold the buckle sections together. An example of this type of mechanism is shown in application Serial No. 10,194, filed on February 23, 1960. The present invention provides an improvement on the mechanism disclosed in that application, with regard particularly to the cost of production.

This invention also provides an arrangement for adjustably securing the belt to the buckle without creating stress concentration in the belt material or subjecting it to abrasion. The several features of the invention will be discussed in detail through an analysis of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a perspective view of a fully-engaged buckle mechanism incorporating this invention.

FIGURE 2 presents a fragmentary section in plan showing the portion of the buckle mechanism responsible for the actual transmission of belt-tension forces.

FIGURE 3 presents a perspective view of the retainer member of the mechanism.

FIGURE 4 presents a sectional elevation through the central portion of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 1, with the mechanism in the fully-engaged condition.

FIGURE 5 presents a View of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 4, in the release position.

FIGURE 6 presents a view of the sub-assembly including the slidable locking member and the spring system associated with it.

FIGURE 7 presents a perspective view of the anchor bar used as a base for the spring system.

FIGURE 8 presents the plan view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a modified form of coupling from that shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 10 illustrates a a modified form of handle arrangement.

FIGURE 11 presents a plan view of a floor terminal for the belt.

FIGURE 12 presents a sectional view on the plane XIIXII of FIGURE 11, shown in the condition before tension is applied.

FIGURE 13 illustrates the final position of the assembly shown in FIGURE 12, with the components in the relationship corresponding to full belt tension.

FIGURE 14 presents a fragmentary sectional view in plan of a mechanism for adjustably securing the belt to the buckle frame.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional elevation on the plane XV- XV of FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 16 illustrates the mechanism shown in FI URE 15 actuated to the position permitting adjustment of the belt with respect to the buckle.

FIGURE 17 illustrates a modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 14.

FIGURE 18 presents a section on the plane XVIII- XVIII of FIGURE 17.

Referring to FIGURE 1 and the related views, the buckle section 26 contains the active mechanism of the device, and transmits tension from the belt sections 21 and 22 through engagement with the opposite buckle section 23. The manner in which these forces are transmitted is best shown in FIGURE 2. The frame 24 of the buckle section 24) is essentially channel-shaped in cross-section, with the inwardly turned flanges 25 and 26 provided to establish a guideway for the sliding movement of the locking mechanism. The base portion 27 of the frame is provided with a pair of formed lugs 28 and 29 which are engaged by the apertures 30 and 31 of the buckle section 23. The direction of engagement is transverse with respect to the line of belt tension. The tongue portion 32 containing the apertures 30 and 31 is in overlapping relationship with the base 27 of the frame, and the engagement and disengagement of the buckle sections involves a relative movement between these members in a direction perpendicular to the plane of overlap. The entire function of the locking mechanism is to maintain the tongue portion 32 and the base 27 in close proximity so that the lugs 23 and 2;? remain within the apertures 36 and 31, respectively.

The structure and functioning of the locking mechanism is best illustrated in FIGURES 4 through 8. The slide member 33 has a transverse forward portion 34 slidably received within the guideway formed by the base 27, sides 35 and 36, and flanges 25 and 26. The slide member 33 is a formed piece of sheet steel in the preferred form of the invention, the height of which is selected to be slightly less than the distance from the top of the tongue 32 to the underside of the flanges 25 and 26. In the locking position shown in FIGURE 4, the portion 34 of the slide member is in position over the tongue portion 32, and thereby prevents the disengagement of the tongue from the lugs 28 and 29. Movement to the right to the release position shown in FIG- URE 5 in response to manual forces applied to the handle 37 withdraws the portion 34 from a position where it is capable of confining the tongue 32, and the tongue is thereby free to move away from the base 27 and disengage itself from the lugs 28 and 29. The locking faces 38 (refer to FIGURE 4) of the lugs 28 and 29 may be slanted slightly as shown to facilitate disengagement upon movement of the locking mechanism to the release position shown in FIGURE 5.

A biasing action tending to urge the slide member 33 to the locking position shown in FIGURE 4 is provided by the springs 39 and 40. These are coiled compression springs, and surround the legs 41 and 42 of the U-shaped wire member 43. The legs 41 and 42 are slidably received within the holes 44 and 45 of the flange 46 of the transverse spring anchor 47. The ends of the springs 39 and 4t) bear against the flange 46, and the movement of the slide member 33 to the right (as. shown in FIGURE 5) involves a sliding of the arms 41 and 42 with respect to the flange 46. The anchor member 47 is held in fixed position with respect to the frame through the engagement of the notches 48 and 49 on the anchor member 47 with the ears 5%) and 51 on the flanges 25 and 26, respectively. These ears are bent from the plane of the respective flanges downward toward the base 27, and the engagement with the notches fixes the position of the anchor member 47 with respect to the frame 24. In the fully-assembled condition, there will be insufficient clearance within the mechanism for enough downward movement of the anchor member 4'7 toward the base 27 to disengage the ears 50 and 51 from the slots 48 and 49. This confinement is established by the presence of the belt pin 52 and the formed abutment 53 on the frame 24. In the assembly of the device, the slide member 33 and anchor member 47 are preferably assembled in position prior to the addition of the springs 41 and 42 and the wire member 43, and also prior to the assembly of the pin 52. When the slide member and anchor member have been engaged, they may be moved into the relative position shown in FIGURE 4. The wire member 43, together with the springs 41 and 42, may then be added by first working the legs 41 and 42 of the wire member through the holes 44 and 45, and through the similarly positioned holes in the end-flange 54 of the slide member 33. When this has been accomplished the wire member 43 may be fitted under the tabs 55 and 56 in the front flange 57 of the slide member 33, with the end of the springs surrounding the tabs. This condition is best shown in FIGURE 8, and secures the components in the assembled position.

In the preferred form of the invention, the retainer plate 58 has a flange 59 which hooks over the flange 54 of the slide member, and serves as a stop to limit the movement of the handle 37 under the action of the springs 41 and 42 through the engagement with the flange 46 in the position shown in FIGURE 4. The retainer 58 is riveted to the handle 37 as shown at 60, and the offset ends 61 and 62 engage the underside of the flanges 25 and 26, respectively, of the frame to retain the right hand of the handle 37 in engagement with the mechanism. The forward portion of the handle 37 is folded over as shown at 63, and is notched out at its opposite sides to receive the flanges 25 and 26 of the frame to maintain the engagement of the handle at that portion of the mechanism. The shelf 64 is formed on the underside of the fold at 63 for engagement with the portion 57 of the slide member to trans fer the manually-applied forces to the slide member to move it to the unlocked position shown in FIGURE 5.

When the locking mechanism has been assembled, the conventional belt pin 52 may be assembled in position by engagement of diametral end slots as shown at 65 (note FIGURE 1) with the edges of the base portion 27 which define the opening 66 in the frame. The belt pin 52 is worked into the assembled position through the wider portion 67 of the opening in the base of the frame; and after the diametral slot 65 has been engaged, the drive pins 68 are added to prevent movement of the belt pin 52 to the left sufliciently to disengage the end slot 65 from the base portion 27.

Refen'ing to FIGURE 9, a modified form of the invention is illustrated which involves a slightly different coupling system from that shown in FIGURE 2. The frame 69 is formed with a single lug 70 having an arcuate holding surface 71. The tongue portion 72 of the buckle section 73 has an aperture with a similarly arcuate surface 74, with the sides 75 and 76 tapered as shown. This arrangement permits a limited degree of articulation as shown in dotted line to allow for some misalignment between the buckle sections. The mechanism for maintaining the interengagement of the lug 70 with the surface 74 is the same as that previously described.

Referring to FIGURE 10, a modified form of the invention is shown with regard to the handle. In place of the handle 37, the molded plastic handle 77 is utilized in the same mechanical relationship with the remainder of the mechanism. This arrangement lends itself to the incorporation of suitable insignia as shown at 78, and also facilitates the application of colors and finishes of the wide variety associated with molded plastics. The end 79 may either be molded to a configuration similar to that shown at 63 and 64 in FIGURE 5, or metal components may be secured to a plastic member providing the gripping ridge 80. A retainer of the type shown in FIGURE 3 is secured in position with rivets, as indicated at 81, which are similar to that shown at 60 in FIGURE 5.

Referring to FIGURES 11, 12 and 13, a floor-mounted terminal arrangement for adjustably securing an end of the belt is illustrated. The terminal plate 82 and the movable plate 83 are relatively standard in form, with the novelty centering in the manner in which the belt material 84 is engaged with these members. Reference to FIGURES 12 and 13 will show the manner in which the material is woven through the opening 85 in the terminal plate 82 and through the parallel openings 86 in the movable plate 83. Tension applied as shown in FIGURE 13 will result in the main portion 88 of the belt being cushioned by the layers 89 and 90 so that concentrations of stress and wear are removed. The belt is looped around the bar 91 defined by the opening 85, and this loop is extended through the openings 87 and 86 in succession.

FIGURES 14 through 16 illustrate a mechanism for adjustably securing the belt to the frame of the mechanism. The side flanges 92 and 93 of the frame 94 support the parallel fixed pins 95 and 96. The belt 97 is wound about the pin 96, with a portion 98 extending diagonally across from the pin 95. The return tangential section 99 surrounds the pin 95, and also the semi-cylindrical shield portion 100 of the release member 101. This member is a piece of relatively thin formed sheet steel, and moves freely with the belt. As tension is applied (refer to FIGURE 15) to the section 102 of the belt, the result is a relatively heavy bearing on the inner layer of belt around the pin 95 which creates a jamming action sufficiently intense to resist belt tension. To re lease the jamming action to permit adjustment (lengthening) of the belt, the buttons 103 at the opposite sides of the release member 101 may be gripped between the fingets so that the release member can be moved to the position shown in FIGURE 16. The buttons are preferably secured through having a shank 104 engaging the ro led portion 105 as shown in FIGURES l5 and 16.

The modification shown in FIGURES 17 and 18 will preferably utilize a release member similar to that shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. In place of the pins 95 and 96 secured to the sides 92 and 93 of the frame, the base 106 is provided with apertures shown at 107 and 108 which define the bars 109 and 110. These receive the tubular members 111 and 112, respectively, which are slotted along one side to permit engagement with the bars 109 and 110. The tubular members 111 and 112 are provided with end slots at the diametrically opposite side from the axial slots engaging the bars 109 and 110. The aperture 107 has extended portions 113 of sufliciently greater length to extend beyond the ends of the tubular member 111 which will permit the insertion of the tubular member in position and permit engagement of the end slots. Similarly, the base 106 is cut away as shown at 114 to receive the similar end slots in the tubular member 112; The side slots in the tubular members 111 and 112 can be formed of a selected dimension such that it will create a sufficiently resilient engagement with the base 106 to maintain the assembled position of the components.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art;

I claim:

1. A buckle mechanism comprising:

a first buckle section, said first buckle section having a tongue portion;

a second buckle section, said second buckle section including a frame having a base portion, said tongue and base portion having transversely interengageable means for transfer of belt forces when said tongue and base portions are in overlapping relationship, said interengageable means being disengageable on separation of said tongue portion from said base also tee portion, said frame also having means forming a guideway;

a slide assembly mounted for sliding movement on said guideway, and having a bearing portion disposed in looking position of said slide member to maintain the engagement of said interengageable means, and being movable to a position releasing said interengageable means; and

biasing means urging said slide assembly to locking position,

said biasing means including a transverse anchor member having the ends thereof normally fixed with respect to said frame, said anchor member being disposed within said slide assembly,

said biasing means also including a wire member disposed within said slide assembly and having one end thereof engaging said slide assembly and the opposite end slidably engaging said anchor member,

said biasing means also including a coil spring surrounding said wire member and having one end thereof engaging said slide assembly, the opposite end of said spring bearing against said anchor member.

2. A buckle mechanism comprising:

a first buckle section, said first buckle section having a tongue portion;

a second buckle section, said second buckle section including a frame having a base portion, said tongue and base portion having transversely interengageable means for transfer of belt forces when said tongue and base portions are in overlapping relationship, said interengageable means being disengageable on separation of said tongue portion from said base portion, said frame also having spaced sidewalls and flanges extending inwardly from said sidewalls, respectively, forming a guideway,

said flanges each having members extending toward said base portion;

a slide assembly mounted for sliding movement on said flanges and including a lochng member disposed between said base portion and flanges, and having a bearing portion disposed in locking position of said slide assembly to maintain the engagement of said interengageable means, and being movable with said slide assembly to a position releasing said interengageable means, said locking member having a wall provided with at least one hole at the opposite end thereof from said bearing portion,

said slide assembly also including a handle slidably engaging the side of said flanges remote from said base portion, and having a portion disposed between said flanges and engaging said locking member adjacent the bearing portion thereof, said handle also having portions embracing said flanges adjacent said bearing portion,

said slide assembly also including a retainer plate normally secured to said handle and having portions disposed on the opposite side of said flanges therefrom, respectively, said retainer plate having a wall facing said locking member wall on the side thereof toward said bearing portion, and having a hole in alignment with the hole of said bearing plate wall, and

biasing means urging said slide assembly to locking position,

said biasing means including a transverse anchor member having the ends thereof receiving said members, and having a wall facing said retainer plate wall and having a hole in alignment with the hole thereof, said anchor member being disposed between said locking member and said handle,

said biasing means also including a Wire member traversing the group of aligned holes respectively in said walls,

said biasing means also including coil springs surrounding said wire member legs and having one end thereof urgin said wire member against said locking member, the opposite end of said pring bearing against said anchor member Wall.

3. A buckle mechanism comprising:

a first buckle section, said first buckle section having a tongue portion;

a second buckle section, said second buckle section including a frame having a base portion, said tongue and base portion having transversely interengageable means or transfer fof belt forces when said tongue and base portions are in overlapping relationship, said interengageable means being disengageable on separation of said tongue portion from said base portion, said frame also having spaced sidewalls and flanges extending inwardly from said sidewalls, respectively, forming a guideway,

said flanges each having members extending toward said base portion;

a slide assembly mounted for sliding movement on said flanges and including a locking member disposed between said base portion and flanges, and having a bearing portion disposed in locking position of said slide assembly to maintain the engagement of said interengageable means, and being movable with said slide assembly to a position releasing said interengageable means, said locking member having a wall provided with spaced holes at the opposite end thereof from said bearing portion,

said slide assembly also including a handle slidably engaging the side of said flanges remote from said base portion, and having a portion disposed between said flanges and engaging said locking member adjacent the bearing portion thereof, said handle also having portions embracing said flanges adjacent said bearing portion,

said slide assembly also including a retainer plate normally secured to said handle and having portions disposed on the opposite side of said flanges therefrom, respectively, said retainer plate having a wall facing said locking member wall on the side thereof toward said bearing portion, and having holes in alignment with the holes of said bearing plate wall, and

biasing means urging said slide assembly to locking position,

said biasing means including a transverse anchor member having the ends thereof receiving said members, and having a wall facing said retainer plate wall and having holes in alignment with the holes thereof, said anchor member being disposed between said locking member and said handle,

said biasing means also including a U-shaped member having the legs thereof each traversing the groups of aligned holes respectively in said walls,

said biasing means also including coil springs surrounding each of said U-shaped member legs and each having one end thereof engaging the transverse portion of said U-shaped member and urging the same against said locking member, the opposite end of said springs bearing against said anchor member wall.

4. A buckle mechanism comprising:

a first buckle section, said first buckle section having a tongue portion;

a second buckle section, said second buckle section including a frame having a base portion, said tongue and base portion having transversely interengageable portion, and having holes in alignment with the means for transfer of belt forces when said tongue holes of said bearing plate wall, and and base portions are in overlapping relationship, biasing means urging said slide assembly to locking said interengageable means being disengageable on position, separation of said tongue portion from said base porsaid biasing means including a transverse anchor tion, said frame also having spaced sidewalls and member having the ends thereof receiving said flanges extending inwardly from said sidewalls, retabs, and having a wall facing said retainer plate spectively, forming a guideway, Wall and having holes in alignment with the said flanges each having tabs extending toholes thereof, said anchor member being disward said base portion; posed between said locking member and said a slide assembly mounted for sliding movement on said handle,

flanges and including said biasing means also including a U-shaped mema locking member disposed between said base porber having the legs thereof each traversing the tion and flanges, and having a bearing portion groups of aligned holes respectively in said disposed in locking position of said slide assem- Walls,

bly to maintain the engagement of said intersaid biasing means also including coil springs surengageable means, and being movable with said rounding each of said U-shaped member legs slide assembly to a position releasing said interand each having one end thereof engaging one engageable means, said locking member having of said locking member tabs, the opposite end a Wall provided with spaced holes at the opposite of said springs bearing against said anchor memend thereof from said bearing portion,

ber wall.

said locking member having a transverse wall adjacent said bearing portion and provided with spaced tabs,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS said slide assembly also including a handle slida- 361,664 Armat Apr. 26, 1887 bly engaging the side of said flanges remote 509,552 Oldham Nov. 28, 1893 from said base portion, and having a portion 2,036,671 Anderson Apr. 7, 1936 disposed between said flanges and releasably 2,556,117 Smith June 5, 1951 engaging said locking member adjacent the bear- 2,571,971 Vogel Oct. 16, 1951 ing portion thereof, said handle also having por- 2,710,649 Griswold June 14, 1955 tions embracing said flanges adjacent said bear- 2,754,560 Warner July 17, 1956 ing portion, 2,853,759 Elsner Sept. 30, 1958 said slide assembly also including a retainer plate 2,863,200 Miller Dec. 9, 1958 normally secured to said handle and having 2,965,942 Carter Dec. 27, 1960 portions disposed on the opposite side of said flanges therefrom, respectively, said retainer FOREIGN PATENTS plate having a wall facing said locking member 71 FT 311% P 21, 1931 wall on the side thereof toward said bearing 718. Great Britain 17,1954 

1. A BUCKLE MECHANISM COMPRISING: A FIRST BUCKLE SECTION, SAID FIRST BUCKLE SECTION HAVING A TONGUE PORTION; A SECOND BUCKLE SECTION, SAID SECOND BUCKLE SECTION INCLUDING A FRAME HAVING A BASE PORTION, SAID TONGUE AND BASE PORTION HAVING TRANSVERSELY INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS FOR TRANSFER OF BELT FORCES WHEN SAID TONGUE AND BASE PORTIONS ARE IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP, SAID INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS BEING DISENGAGEABLE ON SEPARATION OF SAID TONGUE PORTION FROM SAID BASE PORTION, SAID FRAME ALSO HAVING MEANS FORMING A GUIDEWAY; A SLIDE ASSEMBLY MOUNTED FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT ON SAID GUIDEWAY, AND HAVING A BEARING PORTION DISPOSED IN LOCKING POSITION OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER TO MAINTAIN THE ENGAGEMENT OF SAID INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS, AND BEING MOVABLE TO A POSITION RELEASING SAID INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS; AND BIASING MEANS URGING SAID SLIDE ASSEMBLY TO LOCKING POSITION, SAID BIASING MEANS INCLUDING A TRANSVERSE ANCHOR MEMBER HAVING THE ENDS THEREOF NORMALLY FIXED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, SAID ANCHOR MEMBER BEING DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SLIDE ASSEMBLY, SAID BIASING MEANS ALSO INCLUDING A WIRE MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID SLIDE ASSEMBLY AND HAVING ONE END THEREOF ENGAGING SAID SLIDE ASSEMBLY AND THE OPPOSITE END SLIDABLY ENGAGING SAID ANCHOR MEMBER, SAID BIASING MEANS ALSO INCLUDING A COIL SPRING SURROUNDING SAID WIRE MEMBER AND HAVING ONE END THEREOF ENGAGING SAID SLIDE ASSEMBLY, THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SPRING BEARING AGAINST SAID ANCHOR MEMBER. 